Chapter 29: “Good Morning”
Liang Xun had evolved again.
The moment Jian Huaiyi opened his eyes, he saw Liang Xun beside him, leaning against the headboard and reading a document.
From his angle, he could see the taut line of Liang Xun’s jaw, his pure black eyes lowered, and a few strands of black hair tucked behind his ear.
He had gotten back late last night, but Liang Xun had actually been waiting for him in the living room. Although Jian Huaiyi didn’t have those kinds of feelings for him, having someone leave a light on for you in the middle of the night was a warmth that anyone would grow attached to.
Sensing movement, Liang Xun turned his head, his gaze meeting Jian Huaiyi’s sleepy eyes.
He set down the document as if he had been waiting for this moment. His cool voice was like a clear spring. “Good morning.”
Jian Huaiyi: ?
“Morning,” Jian Huaiyi returned the greeting. The tuft of hair sticking up at the back of his head slid off the pillow as he sat up and quietly got dressed.
Yesterday, Old Master Jian himself had called to ask Jian Huaiyi to come home. According to his informant, Eldest Brother Jian, their grandfather wanted him to attend an auction.
An auction. Jian Huaiyi wasn’t interested. But under the old master’s repeated orders, he had no choice but to make an appearance.
“I have to go to an auction this afternoon, so don’t wait for me.” Jian Huaiyi finished buttoning his shirt and added a lime-green bow tie in front of the mirror, which made him look a few years younger.
When he heard no reply for a long time, Jian Huaiyi turned around after finishing his preparations and met Liang Xun’s blank stare. A flicker of confusion crossed his face. “Liang Xun, did you hear me?”
Liang Xun’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “I heard you.” He looked at Jian Huaiyi’s outfit and couldn’t help but offer a suggestion. “Won’t you be cold dressed like that?”
“It’s fine,” Jian Huaiyi said nonchalantly. “They’ll probably have the heat on at the auction house.”
Liang Xun had no choice but to shut his mouth.
His eyes were involuntarily drawn to the open-knit pattern at Jian Huaiyi’s waist. He tore his gaze away, annoyed.
Then he remembered that he seemed to have received an invitation to an auction a few days ago as well. “The Skaid Auction?”
Jian Huaiyi didn’t immediately register it. “Are you talking about the name of the auction I’m going to? I think it is called Skaid.”
Liang Xun’s eyes lit up. He looked at Jian Huaiyi and hinted, “I received an invitation to Skaid, too.”
Jian Huaiyi paused before replying, “I have to go with my grandfather.”
Liang Xun’s lips pressed together in disappointment.
“But we can head back together,” Jian Huaiyi added.
Liang Xun’s lashes lifted. “I’ll come find you when it’s over.”
“Deal.”
Jian Huaiyi first drove back to the Jian residence. Old Master Jian was in the living room, once again indoctrinating Jian Luojia.
He’d heard these lectures so many times his ears were calloused. How did that saying go? When people get old, their memory fails them. His father was definitely getting old.
Jian Luojia grumbled internally but had to maintain an expression of rapt attention, nodding from time to time to show his father he was listening.
If his father caught him being “insincere,” it would spawn a whole new topic, making the lecture even harder to end.
“Jian Huaiyi!” In the gap between nods, Jian Luojia’s sharp eyes spotted him at the door.
Old Master Jian took a sip of tea to wet his throat and glanced toward the entrance. “You’re back, Second Son.”
“Yeah.” Jian Huaiyi took off his scarf. Seeing his grandfather sitting and Jian Luojia standing, he instantly understood the situation. “I’m not in a hurry. You two continue.”
At this, Jian Luojia protested. “No need! Second Brother’s business is more important! Dad, you should talk to him first!”
Old Master Jian shot a light glance at Jian Luojia, who immediately shrank like a quail and stood quietly to the side.
Old Master Jian sized up Jian Huaiyi’s attire, looking reasonably satisfied. He stood up and called for the butler, “Old Liu, give the invitation to my second son.”
The butler handed the invitation to Jian Huaiyi, who saw the gold-stamped words “Skaid Auction” on it.
“You’re not going?” Jian Huaiyi asked his grandfather.
Old Master Jian’s face immediately darkened. “Do I need to escort you to a simple auction?”
Jian Huaiyi got the message and tucked the invitation into his coat pocket.
Before he left, Old Master Jian added one last instruction: “Don’t be stingy. If you see something worth bidding on, bid on it. Your big brother isn’t short on cash.”
Jian Huaiyi let out a laugh. So whatever he bought at the auction would be put on his big brother’s tab.
He wondered what Big Brother Jian would think if he heard that.
—Of course, he would be more than happy.
“Little brother, see if there are any rings or necklaces worn by princesses or royalty. Keep an eye out for your big bro.”
Jian Huaiyi raised an eyebrow and said into the phone, “For sister-in-law?”
Eldest Brother Jian let out a rare, shy grunt. “Well, the one-year anniversary of me chasing your sister-in-law is coming up. I was thinking of buying her a gift. What if she’s so moved that she says yes to me? You’d be my Charlotte.”
Jian Huaiyi: “…”
“…It’s Cupid,” Jian Huaiyi corrected him coolly. “Play fewer video games, Big Brother.”
Eldest Brother Jian roared with laughter. “Cupid, Cupid! Right! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for me, okay?”
“Got it.”
Jian Huaiyi hung up. The driver announced, “Second Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
Jian Huaiyi opened the car door and got out. A black Mercedes was parked behind his car. A man emerged from it, and Jian Huaiyi took a closer look.
“Second Young Master Jian.” A flicker of interest appeared in Lu Cheng’s eyes.
Jian Huaiyi merely nodded before walking into the main hall.
After finding his seat, Jian Huaiyi cautiously scanned his surroundings.
Most of the attendees were in sharp suits, looking like elite professionals. He felt like he was sitting with countless versions of Assistant Qin.
“Young Master Jian.” One of the “Assistant Qins” approached and handed him a business card, his voice polite but calm. “My president would like to befriend you.”
Jian Huaiyi glanced down. The name on the card read “Lu Cheng.”
“I’m not short on friends, so no thanks.” Jian Huaiyi sounded bored. He looked lazily past the man at Lu Cheng. “Especially not with anyone whose surname is Lu.”
The secretary froze, clearly not expecting that reason. He gave a sheepish nod and returned to Lu Cheng’s side.
Jian Huaiyi now understood. Most of the people attending this auction were secretaries or assistants for some president. The presidents themselves rarely showed up in person; their assistants would report on the items for them remotely.
Only a psycho like Lu Cheng, and Liang Xun… Liang Xun?
Why didn’t Liang Xun send Assistant Qin?
Jian Huaiyi wondered. Could it be that he wanted to broaden his horizons?
He furrowed his brow. That can’t be right. Liang Xun must have attended countless auctions abroad.
Maybe he wanted to see how domestic auctions differ from those overseas?
That’s possible.
The seats around him gradually filled up.
The auctioneer announced the start of the event. Just as Jian Huaiyi had expected, the indoor heating was on, and the temperature began to rise.
Hearing a rustle of footsteps, Jian Huaiyi subconsciously glanced to his side. Lu Cheng had, at some point, swapped seats with someone and was now sitting next to him.
A leech.
Jian Huaiyi cursed internally.
“Next up, a red agate diamond ring,” the auctioneer called out, beginning to introduce the item. He explained that the ring came from the Marilyn family and was a wedding anniversary gift from Lady Marilyn’s husband.
It perfectly matched his big brother’s request: a wedding anniversary gift with royal provenance.
Jian Huaiyi had no time to bother with Lu Cheng. The starting bid was five million. He raised his paddle, his voice flat. “Ten million.”
The moment he spoke, some of the eager bidders around him froze. They said something to the person on the other end of their earpieces and then lowered their paddles for good.
“Eleven million,” someone else bid.
“Fifteen million,” Jian Huaiyi raised his paddle again.
Since it was his big brother’s money, he felt no pain in spending it. Plus, his grandfather had specifically told him not to be stingy.
“Does Young Master Jian like this ring?” Lu Cheng fiddled with the silver watch on his wrist, watching Jian Huaiyi with amusement.
Jian Huaiyi ignored him.
Lu Cheng wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he chuckled and raised his own paddle. “Twenty million.”
Jian Huaiyi looked at him.
A faint smile played on Lu Cheng’s lips. “I’ll buy it for you, Young Master Jian.”
“No need.” Jian Huaiyi’s eyes were cold as he raised his paddle again. “Thirty million.”
The hall fell silent. Thirty million had far exceeded the ring’s original value. No one else was competing with him.
Seeing this, Lu Cheng raised his arm. “Thirty-five million.” He was deliberately trying to challenge Jian Huaiyi.
The auctioneer called out excitedly, “President Lu bids thirty-five million! Is there anyone else who wants to raise the price? Thirty-five million going once…”
“Are you going to raise it again, Young Master Jian?” Lu Cheng asked in a low, playful voice.
Jian Huaiyi met his gaze. Their eyes clashed in a silent battle, sparks flying.
A suspicion formed in his mind. From his grandfather specifically naming him to attend this auction, to running into Lu Cheng—it was all designed.
His father was still not giving up.
Jian Huaiyi undid a button on his cuff. He looked levelly at Lu Cheng and said coolly, “I have no interest in you.” The open-knit fabric at his waist shifted slightly, revealing a sliver of pale skin and the lean muscle of his waist beneath.
Lu Cheng’s charming eyes narrowed. He hadn’t been particularly interested in Jian Huaiyi at first, but this contest had ignited a long-dormant competitive streak within him.
He would conquer Jian Huaiyi. He would make this arrogant man weep beneath him.
“Thirty-five million going twice…” the auctioneer’s voice echoed.
Jian Huaiyi had lost all interest in the item.
He had no reason to fall into Lu Cheng’s trap.
“Thirty-five million…”
“Wait.” A man in a formal suit stood up and made a gesture. He wore a flawless smile—distant, yet polite.
The rare gesture made everyone snap to attention—he was lighting the sky lantern.
Lu Cheng’s look of certain victory froze. A chill spread through his eyes as he stared darkly at this man who had appeared out of nowhere.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire room, Assistant Qin walked onto the stage. He adjusted his tie, his voice as calm as ever. “Seventy million. Are there any other bids?”
No one spoke. They could only wonder about the identity of the person behind him.
Only Jian Huaiyi watched the man on stage, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The auction ended. Jian Huaiyi had only bid on an antique vase. As for the royal ring his brother wanted, he decided to ask Jiang Yue to keep an eye out for one. Jiang Yue’s family was in the diamond business; finding a ring wouldn’t be difficult.
Lu Cheng followed him relentlessly. With a voice dripping with mockery and amusement, he sneered, “Young Master Jian’s charm is truly extraordinary.”
Jian Huaiyi, hands in his pockets, stopped. “Speak like a human.”
Lu Cheng’s face froze, not expecting such bluntness. He composed himself and dropped the pretense. “Does Young Master Jian not recognize that man from before?”
That man… does he mean Assistant Qin?
Jian Huaiyi was unfazed. “What does it have to do with you whether I know him or not?”
Lu Cheng was choked up again. He forced a smile. “If you talk like that, Young Master Jian, there’s nothing left to discuss.”
“Was there ever anything for us to discuss in the first place?” Jian Huaiyi shot back.
“Young Master Jian is a smart man. Your grandfather is trying so hard to set us up. You can’t possibly have missed that, can you?” Lu Cheng’s eyes were tinged with scorn.
Jian Huaiyi’s face was ice-cold, his impression of Lu Cheng plummeting into the negatives. He stood in the snow, hands in his pockets, bathed in the moonlight.
“Get lost.”
Lu Cheng’s expression turned completely grim. He threatened, “Think carefully, Young Master Jian. You and I represent the interests of our two families. Is this the Jian family’s attitude toward cooperation?”
“Cooperation on what?”
A cold, deep voice cut in. Both men turned to look.
Liang Xun stood there in a black trench coat, snowflakes glittering on his shoulders, a gift bag in his hand. He stared at Lu Cheng, his dark eyes turbulent, like a lone wolf sizing up a trespasser.
Liang Xun walked forward, took Jian Huaiyi’s red, frozen hand, and after a brief pause in the air, tucked it into his trench coat pocket.
“Liang Xun.” Liang Xun’s tone was flat, but a subtle pressure emanated from him, a chill swirling in his brow.
As he got closer, Lu Cheng saw the gift bag in his hand. The words “Red Agate Diamond Ring” were printed clearly on it.
Jian Huaiyi’s arm tensed instinctively, but after a moment’s thought, he didn’t pull away.
He’s been taking advantage of me for so long. It’s about time I took a little advantage of him.
With that thought, Jian Huaiyi lifted his lashes to glance at the man’s stern profile. He burrowed his face a little deeper into his scarf as a strange, pale pink blush crept up his ears.
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